Method and apparatus for cleaning vessels afloat

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for cleaning the underwater hull surface of a floating vessel. Hull cleaning means is arranged in a path along the hull and yieldable carrier means is disposed in supporting relationship with the cleaning means. Means are provided to create relative movement between the vessel and cleaning means. In one embodiment a pincer unit is provided to deflect the tensioned return reach of an endless conveyor and utilize the resulting reaction force for urging the working reach into conformity with the hull surface. In another embodiment vertically spaced actuator arms yieldably urge rotary or belttype cleaning means into conformity with the hull. In another embodiment flexible, buoyant belts of cleaning elements are oscillated in contact with the hull. In another embodiment a plurality of rotating float elements with peripheral cleaning bristles are arranged in series along a path adjacent the hull surface. In another embodiment flexible, inflatable containers are provided with cleaning means on their inwardly confronting working sides and support means holding the containers so that the working sides yieldably conform to the hull surface of a vessel moved between the containers.

United States Patent 1 Laney Jan. 9, 1973 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FORCLEANING VESSELS AFLOAT Henry J. Laney, 5950 LaSalle Avenue, Oakland,Calif. 9461 l [22] Filed: Sept. 28, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 75,961

[76] Inventor:

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.748,532, July 29,

1968, Pat. No. 3,541,988.

Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant Examiner-Gregory W. OConnorAttorneyFlehr, Hohbach, Test, Albritton and Herbert 5 7 ABSTRACT Methodand apparatus for cleaning the underwater hull surface of a floatingvessel. Hull cleaning means is arranged in a path along the hull andyieldable carrier means is disposed in supporting relationship with thecleaning means. Means are provided to create relative movement betweenthe vessel and cleaning means. In one embodiment a pincer unit isprovided to deflect the tensioned return reach of an endless conveyorand utilize the resulting reaction force for urging the working reachinto conformity with the hull surface. In another embodiment verticallyspaced actuator arms yieldably urge rotary or belt-type cleaning meansinto conformity with the hull. In another embodiment flexible, buoyantbelts of cleaning elements are oscillated in contact with the hull. Inanother embodiment a plurality of rotating float elements withperipheral cleaning bristles are arranged in series along a pathadjacent the hull surface. In another embodiment flexible, inflatablecontainers are provided with cleaning means on their inwardlyconfronting working sides and support means holding the containers sothat the working sides yieldably conform to the hull surface of a vesselmoved between the containers.

8 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJMI 9197a 3,709,184

sum 1 OF 8 FIG 1 INVENTOR HENR J. N EY BY adj:- W

ATTORNEYS SHEET 3 BF 8 #m mm Lwwm No Q #00 Q mm mm mm mm Ow @N a. NO N:9 fin INVENTOR. HENRY J. LANEY ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAN 9:915

SHEET l [1F 8 INVENTOR. HENRY J. LANEY ATTORNEYS PATENTEU JAN 9 I975 3,709,184

MUM

\ ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAN 91975 3.709.184

SHEET 7 0F 8 INVENTOR.

HENRY J. LANEY ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAM 9|973 3.709.184

SHEET 8 0F 8 INVENTOR. HENRY J. LANEY ATTORNEYS METHOD AND APPARATUS FORCLEANING VESSELS AFLOAT CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No.748,532, filed July 29, l968now US. Pat. No. 3,541,988 issued Nov. 24,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to method andapparatus for cleaning the underwater hull surface of a floating vessel.The problem of marine fouling on the underwater surfaces of vessels hasbeen a costly and continual problem to navel, commercial and pleasurecraft. Marine fouling occurs first as a soft, more-o'r-less invisibleslime collects on the vessels hull in the first few days of immersion,followed by yielding growths such as moss and grasses, and then rigid,heavier organisms such as shells and barnacles. This fouling results ina reduction in speed, an increased cost in fuel for powered craft, andthe loss of time and money. in attempting to remedy the fouling.

Conventional measures to alleviate marine fouling include those ofdry-docking the ship for maintenance, application of anti-fouling paint,scrubbing by a scuba diver, docking the boat in a hull-sterilizing tankinto which a chemical agent has been added, or manual dockside brushing.These prior art methods have many disadvantages and limitations.Dry-docking is relatively expensive, especially for commercial ships.The use of anti-fouling paint is not only costly and of limitedprotection in time, but also only serves to retard, and not stop, marinegrowth. Scrubbing by a scuba diver is also expensive and time-consuming,and has largely been limited to relatively small-sized boats, such assailboats. The hull sterilizing tanks present the further problem of theneed to clean fouling from the tank itself, and in addition, the toxicchemical agents used in the tank are neutralized by sunlight, requiringperiodic replacement, are expensive, and pollute the water. Withdockside brushing it is difficult to apply adequate contact pressureagainst the hull, and it is hard to-reach and clean the ships keel orthe hull portion having a reverse curvature. 7

Accordingly, the need has been recognized for method and apparatus whichwill more efficiently clean marine fouling from the underwater surfacesof a floating vessel with reduced expense and downtime without 7 harm tothe hull surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS It is a general object of theinvention to provide improved method and apparatus for efficientlycleaning the hull surface of a floating vessel.

Another object is to provide method and apparatus of the characterdescribed which is effective to clean marine fouling from a vessels hullof varied cross-secv tional size and shape, such as with a reversecurvature.

Another object is to provide method and apparatus of the characterdescribed which efficiently and inexpensively removes marine foulingwithout the requirement for drydocking, anti-fouling paint, hullsterilization tanks, or manual scrubbing and the like.

Another object is to provide hull cleaning method and apparatus of thecharacter described which operates without damage to the hulls paint,such as hard bottom paint or anti-fouling paint, and does not harm hullprotuberances such as propellers, speed indicators or discharge outlets.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are provided in theinvention by method and apparatus in which hull cleaning means is movedalong a path with a working reach along the hull surface and a spacedreturn reach. Yieldable carrier means is disposed in supportingrelationship with the workingreach and a pincer unit deflects thetensioned return reach so that the resulting reaction force urges theworking reach into conformity with the hull surface, such as in the areaof the hulls reverse curvature. Another embodiment provides verticallyspaced actuator arms which yieldably urge cleaning means into conformitywith the hull. In one modification of this latter embodiment thiscleaning means is in the form of an endless belt against which theactuator arms operate, and in another modification the cleaning meanscomprises a plurality of rotatable brushes mounted on respective distalends of the actuator arms. In another embodiment hull cleaning meanstogether with buoyant means urging the same into conformity with thehull are oscillated to provide the cleaning action. In anotherembodiment float elements with peripheral cleaning bristles are arrangedin series along a vertical path adjacent the hull surface with means tosimultaneously rotate the float elements. In another embodiment, a pairof inflatable, flexible containers provided with cleaning means on theirinwardly confronting working surfaces are adapted to yieldably conformto the hull surface of a vessel moved between the containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective underwaterview of one embodiment of the invention as it is cleaning the underwaterhull surface of a floating vessel;

, FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 duringa no-boat condition;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating operation of thisembodiment in cleaning a boat;

FIG. 4 is a top-plan fragmentary view of one side of the apparatus ofthe embodiment of FIG. 1

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation view of a modified form for theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary front elevation view illustrating a modifiedform of the embodiment of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front elevation view of another embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. II is a front elevation view of another embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, FIG. 1illustrates generally at 10 apparatus for cleaning the hull surface of afloating vessel 12. Apparatus 10 is adapted to be supported from asuitable stationary work platform or floating dock defining a slip orberth through which vessel 12 moves during the cleaning operation.Movement for the vessel may be provided by slowly towing the floatingvessel forwardly through the slip or berth, such as by means of thewinch arrangement described in copending application Ser. No. 748,532.

' disposed in supporting relationship with a correspond ing workingreach and adapted to urge the cleaning means into conforming contactwith the hull surface. Primary pincer means 30, 32 are provided on eachcleaning assembly to force the working reach into intimate contact withthe hull and insure complete contact along the cleaning path, especiallyin the hull portions having a reverse curvature such as the juncture ofthe hull 34 and keel 36 of the exemplary sailboat. Secondary pincermeans 38, 40'are provided to urge the upper segments of the carrierstogether in the no-boat condition.

The cleaning assemblies 14,16 are substantially identical inconstruction and operation and it will sufflce to describe that forassembly 14. This assembly comprises an endless belt or link-typeflexible conveyor 42 trained between a drive sprocket 44 mounted on workplatform or dock 46 above the waters surface and underwater horizontallyaxised idler roller 48. The cleaning elements may comprise a pluralityof outwardly extending flexible bristles 50 defining a substantiallycontinuous brush-like belt. Groups of the bristles are mounted togetherin a series of laterally extending brushes supported by a series ofbattens 52 which in turn are secured to a pair of endless link-typechains 54,56 by suitable fasteners 57. Bristles 50 are preferably formedfrom a flexible plastic such as polypropylene having a sufficientlength, on the order of 12 inches, to preclude damage to hullprotrusions suchas propellers, speed indicators, or discharge outlets.The bristles are selected with a predetermined balance of stiffness,length, pressure and conveyor speed to insure complete brush contactover the entire hull surface including the keel sides and keel/hulltransition areas, e.g. for sailboats.

Referring to FIG. 4 details of a preferred power unit 58 for drivingcleaning assembly 14 are illustrated. It is desirable that the powerunit provide automatic operation for driving the cleaning elementsagainst the hull as the vessel is moved along the slip cleaning theentire underwater hull surface. Preferably the power unit providesconstant power controlling speed as a function of load so that linerconveyor speed decreases in proportion to increased hull/brush frictionforces as the boat advances. As an example, a power unit 58 couldcomprise a DC electric motor on the order of horsepower powering a driveunit 60 comprising a :1 ratio gearmotor chain and sprocket drive whichin turn operates drive sprockets 44 driving link chains 54,56.Alternatively, the power unit could comprise a remotely located (such ason the shore or a fixed dock) AC motor driven 20 horsepower piston typevariable displacement hydraulic pump, and with the drive unit, whichwould be mounted on floating dock 46, comprising a 5 horsepower constantdisplacement hydraulic motor connected through suitable conduits withthe shore-located pump and driving the conveyor through the chain andsprocket reduction drive train. It will be apparent that still othersuitable conveyor drive arrangements could be provided, such as agasoline engine or the like.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, each cleaning assembly 14,16 is operatedso that the cleaning bristles move downwardly along their respectiveworking reaches 18,20 intointimate contact with the underwater hullsurfaces of the vessel. Flexible carriers 26,28 operate to urge theworking reaches of the cleaning bristles against the vessels hull andinto conformity with it. FIG. 2 illustrates the configuration defined bythe two cleaning assemblies with no boat in the slip. The bristle endsof the working reaches are in confronting relationship along a verticalinterface 62 along with the center line of the vessel is moved. As thevessel progresses through the slip, normally from how to stem, the'hullgently urges the two cleaning assemblies apart in the manner illustratedin FIG. 3, and the working reaches automatically conform to the hullsurface throughout conveyor operation regardless of any variation incrosssectional size and configuration, within pro-determined size limitsdepending upon particular specifications and requirements.

Flexible carrier 26 is exemplary and comprises a train of buoyantcylindrical floats or roller members 64 each provided with horizontalaxles 65 and in rotatable supporting engagement with the underside ofconveyor 42 along the mid-span of working reach 18. The roller memberscan be hollow, water-tight cylinders, or filled.

with a suitable buoyant material such as styrofoam or polyurethane foam,each roller having a buoyant force on the order of 30 pounds. Opposedpairs of links 66,68 support the rollers in spaced-apart relationshipalong the length of the train. Three pairs of siderails 70,72,74 aremounted along carrier 26 and project outwardly along the sides ofconveyor 42 for :insuring proper tracking,

Means including an anti-bunching linkage assembly 76 is provided to holdthe lower end of the roller train with respect to the lower end ofworking reach 18 and at the same time accomodate vertical'displacementof the underwater rollers as the hull cross-section varies during thecleaning operation. The rollers at the upper end of the train are freeto move in and out as the vessel progresses between the two conveyors.Linkage assembly 76 comprises a cylindrical float member 78 connectedwith the lower end of the roller train by means of a first pair of arms80. and connected with idler roller 48 by a second pair of arms 82. Inthe noboat condition of FIG. 2 the arms 80,82 are in tension with asmall degree of outward angulation holding the. roller train in itsmaximum vertical position. As the vessel enters the slip and pushes theworking reaches aside the underwater rollers displace downwardlyand thepresence of float 78 biases the arms 80,82 to pivot outwardly with aknee action where the float does not interfere with the conveyor.

The lower ends of the two opposing sides of the cleaning assemblyconveyors are held down and tensioned against the buoyant action of thelinked rollers and the dynamic tension of the respective conveyors bymeans of weight unit 84. This weight unit comprises a stainless steelbox filled with a suitable ballast, preferably a lead ballast weighingon the order of 1200 pounds. Pairs of support arms 86,88 divergeupwardly from opposite ends of the weight unit for rotatable attachmentto the axles 89 of idler rollers 48 on each cleaning assembly. Pairs ofside guards 90,92 are mounted on these support arms on either side ofthe conveyors adjacent respective idler rollers to maintain tracking ofthe conveyors.

Means are provided to direct inward forces against the carrier meansinsuring intimate contact of the cleaning bristles against the hullsurface, especially in the hull areas having a reverse curvature, suchas the hull/keel transition area. This means includes the primary pincerunits 30,32 provided for respective cleaning assemblies. Pincer unit 30comprises a deflector roller 96 rotatably mounted at the juncture of afirst pincer arm 98 and second pincer arm 100. The opposite end of arm98 is rotatably connected with the axle of idler roller 48 and theopposite end of arm 100 is pivotally mounted with a force distributingsupport frame 102 which in turn is mounted on the axles of the lowermostadjacent pair of roller members. Intermediate side rails 74 projectoutwardly from the support frames 102 and side guards 104 project in anopposite outward direction from the end of arm 100 on either side ofconveyor 42 for proper tracking along the deflector roller 96. With thereturn reach 22 of the cleaning assembly under tension during operationthe outward deflection of the return path by pincer unit 94 creates aninwardly directed reaction force having a major force vector along arm100 and support frame 102 to act against the lower most roller membersand press the adjacent segment of working reach 18against the hullsurface. The pincer an'ns 100 may be springloaded by suitable means suchas providing a telescoping arm enclosing a compression spring, toprovide a degree of resiliency in the reaction force acting-against theworking reach.

The secondary pincer units 38,40 provided on respective cleaningassemblies create buoyant forces or movements urging the two workingreaches together in the no-boat condition. Pincer unit 38 is exemplaryand comprises a relatively large volume buoyant cylindrical float 108interconnected through a pair of arms 110 with the axle 89 of idlerroller 46 and through a pair of arms 112 with the axle of one of theroller members, shown as the third roller from the underwater end.

In the operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the two power units 58are energized to drive the conveyors downwardly along the hull. As thevessel is moved into the slip, the working reaches 18, engage the hulland are gently urged apart while the wiping action of the bristlesremoves the fouling. The buoyancy of the carrier rollers urges theworking reaches into conformity with the hull, while the reaction forcescreated by deflection of the return reaches by pincer units 30, 32 aredirected inwardly to act against the segments of the working reachesadjacent the reversely curved parts of the hull.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modified form of the embodiment of FIG. 1incorporating a primary pincer unit 114 adapted to distribute thereaction force from deflection of the tensioned return reach 116 over alonger segment of working reach 118. Pincer unit 114 comprises a firstarm 120 interconnecting idler roller 122 with deflector roller 124 and asecond arm 126 interconnecting the deflector roller with a whiffletreeassembly 128 comprising two pairs of triangular support frames 130, 132each pivotally interconnecting the axles of an adjacent pair of thelowermost three roller members 134 in the carrier train. The inward endof pincer arm 126 is provided with a bracket 136 having diverging endspivotally connected with the apexes of support frames 130, 132. Thereaction force transferred from the pincer arm 126 is distributed ontothe two pairs of support frames which in turn transfer this force to thethree roller members which press against return reach 118 in the reversecurve area of the hull. As a result the reaction forces resulting fromoperationof the pincer unit covers a greater area against the hullsurface.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7provides hull cleaning apparatus 138 comprising a pair of upwardlyextending flexible hull cleaning belts 140,142 secured together at theircommon end to a weight or support 144 and with the belt upper endsunattached and adapted to freely displace. Each belt includes buoyantmeans such as a plurality of articulated buoyant floats 146. Cleaningelements comprising groups of long, flexible bristles 148 are mounted tothe floats and project outwardly. for contact with the hull surface.Means is provided to both support weight 144 underwater below the keelof a floating vessel 150 and additionally impart an oscillating orvibrating motion to the cleaning belts. This means comprises a powerunit or motor 152 and an eccentric drive 154. Motor 152 can be aconventional sealed electric motor powered through underwater cable 156.The motor is secured to the sea bed by anchor 158. Eccentric drive 154comprises a rotating crank and connecting rod 162 which is joumaled tothe bottom of weight 144. Alternatively, the belts can be oscillated byan above water drive with a separate power unit connected with arespective free end of the belts. With this arrangement the inboardpower unit could be mounted on the main dock and the outboard power unitmounted on a floating dock free to move in or out responsive to changinghull size and configuration as the vessel progresses through thecleaning apparatus.

In the operation of hull cleaning apparatus 138 the belts 140,142 in theno-boat condition are urged by the buoyant action of floats 146 upwardlywhere they each assume essentially a right-angle position with thebristles on the underwater sections of the two belts in confrontingrelationship and with the above-water belt sections freely floating onthe water surface in opposite directions. The operation is initiated byenergizing motor 152 which imparts an oscillating up and down motion tothe belts. The floating vessel is now moved or towed between the belts,normally from how to stern, so that the hull side surfaces gently movethe belts aside. The buoyant force against the floats urges the bristlesinto close conforming contact with the hull surface while theoscillating motion cleans the fouling from the surface.

Another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 8 includescleaning apparatus 164 comprising a plurality of opposed telescopingactuating rods 166,168 mounted within the water on suitable frames170,172 to define a slip for receiving the vessel 174. The hull cleaningmeans for the apparatus comprises a plurality of horizontally axisedcylindrical cleaning elements 176,178 journaled for rotation onrespective distal ends of actuator arms 166,168. These cleaning elementspreferably comprise long flexible bristles extending outwardly from acentral hub 180 to define a cylindrical brush.

Actuating rods 166,168 are mounted in vertically spaced relationship intwo opposed tiers lying in a plane transverse of the longitudinal axisof the vessel so that the cleaning elements contact a path extendingdownwardly along the hull sides. The actuating rods include biasingmeans providing horizontal forces acting in the direction of the vesselshull to urge the cleaning elements into intimate contact with the hullsurface and at the same time yieldably recede or displace to conformwith the hull cross-sectional curvature as the vessel is movedlengthwise through the slip. With this arrangement buoyancy forsupporting the cleaning elements is not required. The yieldable biasingmeans may comprise suitable compression springs 169 enclosed within thetelescoping sections of the actuator rods or the actuating rods may beyieldably extended by suitable pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, notshown. To insure more complete hull coverage for the cleaning elements asecond group of opposed actuating rods 182, 183 is arranged in a secondtier behind the first tier and with the rods vertically staggered withrespect to the first tier rods. Thus, actuator rods 182 lie behind andare staggered between rods 168 so that the associated cleaning elements184 overlap the adjacent cleaning elements 178. While the rods areillustrated as being horizontally disposed, it is understood that theycould be set at an upward inclination to the hull, as desired.

Drive means are provided to rotate the cleaning elements and move thebristles rapidly against the hull surface. The drive means may comprisesuitable hydraulic motors, not shown, mounted in the cleaning elementhubs 180 and operated under fluid pressure supplied through conduits186. Other suitable power means, such as submersible electric motors orthe like may also be utilized.

Another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9 comprises acleaning apparatus 188 including a plurality of vertically spacedhorizontal force transmitting actuating rods 190 arranged in a tier andoperating in cooperation with an endless cleaning belt 192.

Actuating rods 190 together with their triangular support frame 194 aremounted underwater in opposing relationship with a like tier of rods andcleaning belt, not shown, defining a slip for receiving the vessel 196.The actuating rods are of the type described in connection with theembodiment of FIG. 8 and comprise telescoping sections yieldably urgedtoward the vessels hull by spring, pneumatic or hydraulic means, notshown. The outer ends of the arms are slidably supported on frame 194through suitable sleeve bearings 197. Bearing means 198 are provided atrespective distal ends of the actuating rods to transmit a yieldableforce to the cleaning belt and at the same time provide relativemovement with the belt. In the preferred embodiment this bearing meanscomprises rollers mounted at the actuator rod ends in engagement withbelt conveyor 200. Long, flexible bristles 199 secured to conveyor 200extend outwardly to define an endless brush for contact with thehullsurface. A weight unit 202 connects the opposing cleaning beltstogether holding the same down in the water against conveyor tension. Anidler roller 204-journaled to weight unit 202 is in rolling contact withthe lower end of the cleaning belt. A drive roller or sprocket 206 isrotatably mounted at the distal end of upper actuating rod in drivingengagement with conveyor 200. Power for operating the belt is suppliedby means of a motor 208 mounted on platform 210 and connected to thedrive roller by a suitable drive belt or chain 212.

In the operation of cleaning apparatus 188 all actuating rods are fullyextended in the no-boat condition so that the opposed cleaning belts arein close spaced relationship in the slip. Motor 208 is energized to movethe cleaning belt in the indicated direction downwardly along theworking reach. As the vessel is drawn through the slip its hull surfacesgently urge the belts aside against the yielding force of the actuatingrods. The actuating rods are effective to urge the cleaning belt intointimate contact with the hull even in its reverse curve area.

Another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 10 provides acleaning assembly 214 including a plurality of horizontally axisedbuoyant float elements 216 222 disposed in spaced-apart seriesrelationship along a path adjacent the vessels hull surface in asubstantially vertical plane transverse of the longitudinal axis of thevessel. Each float element is provided with outwardly projecting, longflexible bristles 224 arranged around the floats periphery to define acylindrical brush. Means are provided interconnecting the float elementsin their spaced-apart relationship. and for simultaneous rotationcomprising a plurality of endless drive chains 226, 228, 230 trainedbetween sprockets 232 which in turn are mounted for rotation with thefloat elements. A weighted cross-link 234 rotatably supports thelowermost float 222, together with the correspondinglowermost float ofan adjacent series of buoyant float elements and cleaning bristles, notshown, in underwater relationship on either side of the hull of afloating vessel. The float elements are adapted to rotate in unisonthrough the drive chains responsive to rotation of at least one floatelement. Preferably, the uppermost float 216 is rotated through a drivearrangement, not shown, operated from a motor on a floating dock or thelike. To provide more complete hull surface coverage a second train offloat elements, not shown, similar in construction and operation to thatdescribed would be disposed in side-by-side relationship to assembly 214and with adjacent float elements vertically staggered to provide overlapcleaning operation on either side of the hull.

In the operation of assembly 214 the float elements and bristles arerotated in unison clockwise as viewed in FIG. 10 moving the bristlesdownward along the hull,

surface of a vessel moving lengthwise through the slip above crosselink234. The vessel-s hull gently urges the float elements aside as itprogresses along the slip; and

the buoyant force of the float elements acts to urge the bristles intointimate contact with the hull surface even in the hull areas with areverse curvature.-

Another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 11 includescleaning apparatus 236 comprising a pair of side-by-side, inflatable,flexible containers'or bags 238, 240 having confronting working sides242, 244 and support sides 246, 248. Means are provided supporting thecontainers underwater comprising a pair of support frames or strongbacks250, 252 with their adjacent underwater ends articulated together at 254and their above-water ends mounted for lateral displacement with respectto vessel 256 on a pair of platforms or floating docks 258, 260. Aweight 262 holds the adjacent ends of the support frames underwaterbeneath the vessels keel.

Containers 238, 240 preferably comprise large rubber or elastomer bagsinflated with a suitable fluid such as water and/or gas (e.g., air) andadapted to flex and conform with the varying cross-sectional size andconfiguration of the hull of a vessel moved lengthwise between the twobags. The bags are secured at their support sides 246, 248 to thesupport frames 250, 252 to submerge the bags.

The cleaning means for apparatus 236 preferably comprises a plurality oflong, flexible bristles or bristlelike projections 264, 266 which aresecured to the bag working surfaces 242, 244 and project outwardly forcontact with the hull surface. While one bag for each hull side is shownas preferred, it is understood that two or more adjacent bags for eachside could be provided, as desired.

In the operation of apparatus 236 the weight of a vessel moving betweenthe bags 238, 240 gently spreads the working surfaces apart so that theinflation pressure in the bags provides yielding conformity for thecleaning bristles against the hull surface. Relative motion of thebristles with respect to the vessel as it is moved or towed lengthwisealong the slip between the bags provides the cleaning action to removethe marine fouling.

While the foregoing embodiments are considered to be preferred, it isunderstood that numerous variations and modifications may be madetherein by those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in theclaims all such variations and modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

' I claim:

'1. The method of cleaning the underwater hull surface of a floatingvessel comprising the steps of moving a plurality of cleaning unitsarranged in a substantially continuous belt downwardlyv along a workingreach into contact with said hull surface, buoyantly urging the movingcleaning units against the hull surface for conforming contacttherewith, directing the return reach of the continuous belt upwardly inthe water along a path spaced outwardly from the working reach,deflecting the return reach outwardly at an intermediate region thereofto produce a reaction force toward the vessel, and directing saidreaction force against an un derwater segment of the cleaning unitworking reach to provide additional force for urging the working reachinto conforming contact with the hull surface.

2. Apparatus for cleaning the underwater hull surface of a floatingvessel comprising the combination of hull cleaning means arranged in anendless path including a working reach disposed in an upstanding plane,the working reach extending along a side portion of the hull surface,and a return reach spaced outwardly from the working reach, yieldablecarrier means disposed in supporting relationship with the working reachand adapted to urge the cleaning means along the working reach intoconforming contact with the hull surface, means to outwardly deflect thepath of cleaning means moving along the return reach to create aninwardly directed reaction force, said deflecting means directing saidreaction force against a segment of the carrier means urging the sametogether with an adjacent segment of the working reach against the hullsurface, and drive means to move the cleaning means downwardly along theworking reach and upwardly along the return reach to create tension inthe latter.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the means outwardly deflecting thepath of the cleaning means comprises pincer arm means extendingtransversely between the working and return reaches with one end of thearm means connected with the flexible carrier, and a roller mounted onthe other end of the arm means in rolling engagement with the returnreach to transmit said reaction force from the deflected return reach tothe arm means.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the yieldable carrier means includesa plurality of buoyant roller members axised transversely of the endlesspath and in rotatable supporting engagement with the hull cleaning meanstogether with an idler roller rotatably supporting the lower end of theworking reach, the means deflecting the return reach includes adeflector roller member rotatably supporting and outwardly deflecting anintermediate segment of the return reach, and the pincer arm meansincludes first arm means pivotally interconnecting the deflector rollerwith the idler roller and second arm means pivotally interconnecting thedeflector roller with an underwater segment of the roller members.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 and including means distributing a part ofthe reaction force received from the second pincer arm means onto atleast an adjacent pair of the carrier roller members.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the reaction force distributing meansdistributes said reaction force over at least an adjacent three of saidroller members, said means linking the roller members together includesat least, first and second support frames each pivotally interconnectingan adjacent pair of said three roller members, and said reaction forcedistributing means in cludes means pivotally connecting said second armmeans with said first and second support frames.

7. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the yieldable carrier means comprisesa plurality of buoyant roller members axised transversely of saidendless path, means linking the roller members togetherin an articulatedtrain extending along said working reach, and means holding the lowerend of said roller member train with respect to the lower end of saidworking reach whereby the distal end of the roller member train is freeto displace for accomodating vessels of variable cross sectionalconfiguration and size while urging the cleaning means into closeconformity with said hull surface.

1. The method of cleaning the underwater hull surface of a floatingvessel comprising the steps of moving a plurality of cleaning unitsarranged in a substantially continuous belt downwardly along a workingreach into contact with said hull surface, buoyantly urging the movingcleaning units against the hull surface for conforming contacttherewith, directing the return reach of the continuous belt upwardly inthe water along a path spaced outwardly from the working reach,deflecting the return reach outwardly at an intermediate region thereofto produce a reaction force toward the vessel, and directing saidreaction force against an underwater segment of the cleaning unitworking reach to provide additional force for urging the working reachinto conforming contact with the hull surface.
 2. Apparatus for cleaningthe underwater hull surface of a floating vessel comprising thecombination of hull cleaning means arranged in an endless path includinga working reach disposed in an upstanding plane, the working reachextending along a side portion of the hull surface, and a return reachspaced outwardly from the workIng reach, yieldable carrier meansdisposed in supporting relationship with the working reach and adaptedto urge the cleaning means along the working reach into conformingcontact with the hull surface, means to outwardly deflect the path ofcleaning means moving along the return reach to create an inwardlydirected reaction force, said deflecting means directing said reactionforce against a segment of the carrier means urging the same togetherwith an adjacent segment of the working reach against the hull surface,and drive means to move the cleaning means downwardly along the workingreach and upwardly along the return reach to create tension in thelatter.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the means outwardlydeflecting the path of the cleaning means comprises pincer arm meansextending transversely between the working and return reaches with oneend of the arm means connected with the flexible carrier, and a rollermounted on the other end of the arm means in rolling engagement with thereturn reach to transmit said reaction force from the deflected returnreach to the arm means.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the yieldablecarrier means includes a plurality of buoyant roller members axisedtransversely of the endless path and in rotatable supporting engagementwith the hull cleaning means together with an idler roller rotatablysupporting the lower end of the working reach, the means deflecting thereturn reach includes a deflector roller member rotatably supporting andoutwardly deflecting an intermediate segment of the return reach, andthe pincer arm means includes first arm means pivotally interconnectingthe deflector roller with the idler roller and second arm meanspivotally interconnecting the deflector roller with an underwatersegment of the roller members.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 4 and includingmeans distributing a part of the reaction force received from the secondpincer arm means onto at least an adjacent pair of the carrier rollermembers.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the reaction forcedistributing means distributes said reaction force over at least anadjacent three of said roller members, said means linking the rollermembers together includes at least first and second support frames eachpivotally interconnecting an adjacent pair of said three roller members,and said reaction force distributing means includes means pivotallyconnecting said second arm means with said first and second supportframes.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the yieldable carrier meanscomprises a plurality of buoyant roller members axised transversely ofsaid endless path, means linking the roller members together in anarticulated train extending along said working reach, and means holdingthe lower end of said roller member train with respect to the lower endof said working reach whereby the distal end of the roller member trainis free to displace for accomodating vessels of variable cross sectionalconfiguration and size while urging the cleaning means into closeconformity with said hull surface.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 7 whereinthe means holding the end of the roller member train includes ananti-bunching linkage assembly comprising a buoyant float member, firstarm means pivotally connecting the float member with the lower end ofthe roller member train, an idler roller rotatably supporting the lowerend of the working reach, and second arm means pivotally connecting thefloat with the idler roller.